Mission & Vision

As a world leader in Environmental Sciences CIRES is committed to identifying and pursuing innovative research in Earth System Science and fostering public awareness of these processes to ensure a sustainable future environment.

CIRES is dedicated to fundamental and interdisciplinary research targeted at all aspects of Earth System Science and to communicating these findings to the global scientific community, to decision-makers, and to the public.

About Us

We look at how best to apply our
research to serve society’s needs.

CIRES researchers explore all aspects of the earth system and search for ways to
better understand how natural and human-made disturbances impact our dynamic
planet. Our focus on innovation and collaboration has made us a world leader in
interdisciplinary research and teaching. We’re committed to communicating our
research in ways that help inform decision-makers and the public about how we can
best ensure a sustainable future environment.

CIRES is . . .

The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

A joint institute of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the University of Colorado at Boulder

Engaged in earth system research that spans six major divisions

Home to four research centers on the CU-Boulder campus

Inspired and directed by a diverse Council of Fellows

Committed to education and outreach at all levels

Host to more than 250 visiting research scientists since 1967

A research and learning environment like no other

Boulder Colorado: An unmatched research environment.

In addition to providing a beautiful natural setting where CIRES researchers live and work, Boulder is home to many scientific agencies and research facilities. These include the National Center for Atmopsheric Research (NCAR), the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), and nearby, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This robust scientific network provides rich opportunities for collaboration in the environmental sciences.